The Roland MC-101 distills the power of the MC-707 into an ultra-portable, battery-powered groovebox that prioritizes mobility without sacrificing the core ZEN-Core sound engine. Smaller than Novation's Circuit, this compact 4-track powerhouse delivers the same synthesizer capabilities as its larger sibling while maintaining the essence of Roland's groovebox philosophy in a package that fits in a backpack.
Despite its reduced form factor, the MC-101 houses the complete ZEN-Core synthesis engine with access to the same vast library of over 3,000 preset tones and 80+ drum kits. The device can run on four AA batteries for up to 4.5 hours, making it the perfect companion for mobile music creation, from airplane compositions to park jams.
The interface is necessarily more focused than the MC-707, featuring four tracks that share a set of four knobs, which can either display a single parameter across all tracks or focus on one track for deeper editing. The 32 velocity-sensitive pads serve multiple functions: drum triggers, virtual keyboard, clip launchers, track mutes, or Scatter effect triggers, with mode switching handled through shift functions.
Navigation relies on a simple two-line LCD display and a clickable encoder, requiring menu-driven access to deeper parameters. While this approach takes longer than the MC-707's visual interface, it enables the MC-101's remarkable portability. The step sequencer maintains the same 128-step capability and sophisticated editing features as the larger model.
Project structure mirrors the MC-707 with 16 clips per track across 4 tracks (64 total clips), supporting the same Session View-inspired workflow with 8 scenes for live performance. The Scatter effects system remains fully intact, providing the same real-time performance capabilities that make the MC series special.
Connectivity focuses on essential studio integration with MIDI IN/OUT, stereo outputs, USB audio/MIDI interface functionality, and SD card storage. While lacking the MC-707's extensive I/O, the MC-101 still functions as a 12-input USB audio interface, supporting individual track streaming to your DAW.
The MC-101 excels as a sketchpad for musical ideas, offering the full power of Roland's modern synthesis in a device that encourages spontaneous creativity. Its battery operation and compact size make it ideal for capturing inspiration wherever it strikes, while its professional connectivity ensures seamless integration into any studio workflow.
Technical Specifications
Sound Engine:
- ZEN-Core sound generator for Tone and Drum Kit tracks
- Maximum polyphony: 128 voices (ZEN-Core), 4 voices (Looper)
- Preset library: 3,000+ tones, 80+ drum kits
Tracks & Clips:
- 4 tracks total
- 64 clips (16 clips per track)
- Track types: Tone, Drum Kit, Looper (Audio Loop)
- Maximum sequence length: 128 steps per clip
Sampling Capabilities:
- User samples: 12 minutes mono / 6 minutes stereo total
- Supported formats: WAV 32-96 kHz/16-bit, 24-bit (mono/stereo)
- Looper samples: ~60 seconds total
- Looper formats: WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit, 32-bit float
Effects:
- Track Multi-Effects: 90 types
- Track EQ per track
- Chorus/Delay: 9 types
- Reverb: 7 types
- Master Effects: 90 types
- Master Compressor and EQ
Display & Interface:
- 16 characters x 2 lines LCD with backlight
- 4 shared track knobs
- 32 velocity-sensitive pads (2 rows of 16)
- 1 clickable encoder
- Step sequence and scene controls (shift functions)
Connectivity:
- Stereo 1/4" phone outputs (L/MONO, R)
- MIDI IN, OUT connectors
- USB-B port (Audio/MIDI interface)
- Stereo miniature headphone jack
Storage:
- SD Card slot (SDHC supported)
- Includes 8GB SD card
Power
- Battery powered: 4x AA alkaline or Ni-MH
- USB bus power supported
- Current draw: 500 mA
- Battery life: ~3 hours (alkaline), ~4.5 hours (Ni-MH)
Size&Weight
- Dimensions: 224 x 132 x 61mm (8.8" x 5.2" x 2.4")
- Weight: 716g (1 lb 9 oz) including batteries
Factory Included Accessories:
- 4x AA alkaline batteries
- 8GB SD card with protector
- Owner's manual
